Page 31 of A Song of Air
“We are stronger together,” she whispered. “And together we will rise.”
“Iona.” He pushed her away by the hips, letting her see the rawness in his gaze. “What if we aren’t?”
Her eyes flared and he felt the prickling bite of ice against his flesh as her magic surfaced between them. “Listen to me, Julius Dara, and listen well. I know your heart. I know you, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that you care. Even when your strength wanes, you are fucking determined. And I know with absolute certainty, that if there ever comes a time when you aren’t strong enough, you’ll fucking find a way to save us. To saveme.And if you are the one who ever needs saving, you know I can carry that burden too. And I fucking will. Because you’re my mate, and I love you, and together, we will fuckingrise.”
And then Iona yanked him down and closed her mouth over his, silencing any protests he might have come up with. But they were far away, and all he could focus on was her and her taste as her tongue pillaged his. He was engulfed by her essence. By her words. By Iona as a whole. He groaned in the back of his throat, dropping the map to the ground and pulling her to him, lifting her by the hips. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and he whirled, pinning her to the nearest tree.
She moaned as he pressed his dick against her core. He wanted her with a fierce ache that he felt low in his belly. He wanted her like he’d never wanted anything else in the fucking world.
“You’re right,” he breathed against her soft, ebony skin. “I’ll protect you,” he vowed.
“I know.” She clawed at his scalp.
“I’ll protect us.”
“I know you will.”
He wasn’t alone. He didn’t always have to carry the burdens on his shoulder. His mate was more than capable of helping, and besides, she was right. If the time ever came and his strength ever faltered, he’d never let that get in the way of his purpose. His mission.
His duty.
Silent Threat
“Basil, do be careful!” Corvina called out. Her son was running ahead of the group, kicking up dust and leaves, his laughter echoing through the air.
Gale chased after him, yanking her skirt up to her calves to avoid tripping. She was followed quickly by Clay, who sent Corvina a wink as he went by. The sight of her mate following and protecting her son warmed her inside and eased an ache she wasn’t aware had started to build.
“If anyone can protect the little lord, it is Clay.” Beside her, Weylyn uttered the words with a confidence that surprised her. She rarely heard Weylyn speak, much less to praise others. Despite his animosity towards the others, she didn’t doubt that he respected Clay.
She didn’t know why that made her happy.
“I know.” She smiled.
“It goes without saying,” he continued, “that if the blood letter does not treat you well, I will rip his innards from his mouth.”
She blinked at the violence of his statement, surprised at it, and if she was honest, slightly perturbed. She wondered though why the threat didn’t make her nervous. Had he been Tobias, or his brother, or King Wes, a chill would have slid down her spine at the words that were all but a promise she knew he meant to keep.
